Six Forensic Entomology Cases: Description and Commentary

Abstract

Insects are known to be useful in estimating the postmortem interval (PMI). Here several cases are reported which show that a wide range of applications in medicolegal questions and hygiene together or apart from estimating the PMI can be answered by use of forensic entomology techniques, including close observation of larval development. Case 1 describes how blowfly larvae fell from a putrefied corpse, hid, and finally emerged from pupae three months after disinfection and renovation. In case 2, the entomological state of the decomposed corpse of a heroin user is described. Case 3 deals with a single adult Protophormia terranovae found in the skull of a partially mummified woman. Case 4 reports the finding of Serratia marcescens bacteria in red Muscina stabulans pupae which were found on a 5-day-old corpse. In case 5, blowfly eggs on the corpse of another heroin user are interpreted as an indication of the decedent being laid outside at night after his death in a flat. Case 6 deals with the finding of Parasarcophaga argyrostoma, which in Cologne might be an indicator species which tells if a corpse was lying outside at least for some time.

Occurrences of flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) on human cadavers in Switzerland, and their importance as forensic indicators

“…This is probably the best quantifiable data set for S. argyrostoma. Interestingly, Benecke [53] mentioned that in Cologne, Germany, S. argyrostoma ''has never been seen on corpses inside flats,'' which led him to consider S. argyrostoma as ''a highly indicative species which tells if a corpse found in a more or less closed environment [. .…”

The colonisation of remains by the muscid flies Muscina stabulans (Fallén) and Muscina prolapsa (Harris) (Diptera: Muscidae)

“…pabulorum) are cosmopolitan species that are found as far north as Finland as well as tropical countries such as Malaysia. They are sometimes recovered from human remains [1,2,3] but their potential as indicators of the post-mortem interval has been exploited only occasionally. Nuorteva (1974) [4] describes a case in which M. stabulans larvae were reared from a blood-soaked shirt recovered from a rubbish bin.…”

Identification of a Forensically and Medically Important Blowfly: A Case Study of Adult Calliphora vicina (Rob-Desvoidy) in TurkeyIdentification of Adult Calliphora vicina

“…However, they neglect the collection of these flies on corpses for not being green in color. Until recently, this important evidence has provided critical information in solving forensic cases which have been disregarded and removed during the washing of corpses [31]. Currently, there is an increasing awareness of the importance of blowflies by the dint of scientific studies results [31][32][33][34][35][36].…”